He suspected he knew what Arthur would ask of him; he would be the kind of person to ask it after all. Which was one of many reasons why the Medicine Seller was fairly confident it wouldn't come to that.

"I will not let you hurt anyone," he said gently, arms circling his middle. "We will take precautions around the full moon and keep you well fed so your drive to hunt will not be strong, and we will keep to the wild places so you have plenty of room to roam."

He couldn't help but hold him just a little tighter.

"I have seen those who tear themselves apart over such things; they starve their bodies out of shame and shackle themselves to walls out of fear, and then wonder why the creature they become is hungry and frightened and violently aggressive."